Researchers from Tohoku University, Iwate University and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) are attempting to create metal organic framework (MOF) nanofilms to enable the creation of new materials with customizable pores.

According to the researchers, pore size will impact the properties of material, thereby dictating a material’s applications. Because MOFs — a porous material devised from the bonds created between metal ions and organic linkers — are so porous, they could be used in the development of new material for humidity sensing, gas sensing and resisting switching applications, for instance.

Source: Tohoku University

As such, the team is attempting to turn MOFs into nanofilms of customizable pore sizes, wherein scientists will have improved control over the film’s properties. To do this, the team encouraged the growth of MOFs into thin films via a layer-by-layer process using sequential immersing of the substrates into solutions.

The team grew the nanofilms on four different types of plastic substrate — thereby opening up MOFs, according to the team, to applications for memory devices and sensors, and thus taking the first steps toward using MOF films in the making of electronic devices.

The process is detailed in the American Chemical Society Applied Materials & Interfaces.